US DATA: Sept mfg ISM text: “PMI registered 51.5 percent, an
increase of 1.9 percentage points from August’s reading of 49.6 percent,
indicating a return to expansion after contracting for three consecutive
months. The New Orders Index registered 52.3 percent, an increase of 5.2
percentage points from August, indicating growth in new orders after
three consecutive months of contraction. The Production Index registered
49.5 percent, an increase of 2.3 percentage points and indicating
contraction in production for the second time since May 2009. The
Employment Index increased by 3.1 percentage points, registering 54.7
percent. The Prices Index increased 4 percentage points from its August
reading to 58 percent. Comments from the panel reflect a mix of optimism
over new orders beginning to pick up, and continued concern over soft
global business conditions and an unsettled political environment.”